Ask the Doctor: Seasonal Allergies & Brain Fog; Tension Headaches; Anxiety Disorder
Q: Can seasonal allergies cause thinking problems? I always seem to have a little fuzzy thinking when my allergies are acting up.
A: The “brain fog” you’re dealing with is a common side effect of seasonal allergies. But the problems with concentration and focus may have more to do with the effects of allergies rather than the pollen or other allergen that bothers you. Allergies trigger an inflammatory response in the body as your body tries to combat your symptoms, like watery eyes, congestion and sneezing. These reactions can lead to poor sleep, which in turn can make it difficult to concentrate and focus your thoughts. And the longer you go with insufficient rest, the worse your brain fog becomes. If you grapple with seasonal allergies, then you know that your energy levels may also decline during this time again, caused by inadequate sleep and a body that is using its energy reserves to respond to the allergens around you.
The keys to clearing up your allergy-induced fuzzy thinking are the same as those you would employ to prevent all the consequences of seasonal allergies. If you get an allergy shot that requires a couple of weeks to become effective, make sure you get it a few weeks before allergy season. If you use an allergy medicine, make sure you follow the instructions and your doctor’s advice on its use. And once those pesky allergens are in bloom, try to limit your exposure to them. Stay indoors during peak season, and keep your windows closed as much as possible. If you have been outdoors for a long time, shower once you’re inside and wash your clothes more frequently to help reduce your exposure.
Q: I’ve often heard the term, “tension headache.” Is that just another name for a headache that isn’t a migraine?
A: A tension headache is the most common type of headache, It usually stems from muscle tightness in the scalp, head or neck. Pain develops when the muscles tighten or contract. The muscle tension can be a response to depression, stress, anxiety or a head injury.
But there are actually a few different types of headaches, in addition to tension and migraine. A sinus headache, for example, causes pain around the eyes and cheeks. It’s often confused for a migraine, though migraines are often accompanied by nausea and can make a person sensitive to noise or bright light. One study found that the majority of people who came to the emergency room complaining of a sinus headache actually had a migraine.
A less-common headache is known as a cluster headache, because it tends to develop and disappear many times over a period of months or weeks. Cluster headaches tend to affect one side of the head or face near one eye.
Q: I’ve always been a worrier, but recently my daughter said I might have an anxiety disorder. I don’t think it’s that serious, but how would I know?
A: But there are some signs that could help you understand the differences between being a person who tends to worry and someone with an anxiety disorder.
Having an anxiety disorder generally means you experience excessive worry most days over a period of at least six months. Anxiety tends to be diffuse worrying about things in general without attempting to solve a problem. Worry is usually focused on a specific subject and usually leads your thoughts toward coming up with a possible solution to the subject of your worry.
One other key distinction is that an anxiety disorder can interfere with your daily functioning. You may be unable to leave your home or drive your car. Worry, though troubling, usually doesn’t keep you from living your life.
—Editor-in-Chief Maurizio Fava, MD
The post Ask the Doctor: Seasonal Allergies & Brain Fog; Tension Headaches; Anxiety Disorder appeared first on University Health News.
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